Matt Lauer to Be Fired? Insider Says No But Executives Worry About His Public Image: Report
Matt Lauer will not be fired from the "Today" show, but it may be a concern for the show the image that the public has about him, a source close to the show revealed.
According to a report, Lauer could lose his $25 million contract if the "Today" show ratings did not improve by February 2013. But a new source close to the show that spoke to Fox411's Pop Tarts, said he will not be fired.
"Matt will not lose his contract," the source said. "Matt has a lot of pull in terms of who comes in and who doesn't, and there is just no way they would get rid of him."
The source also said the "show's biggest concern is that the public is resistant to forgive his perceived role in the axing of popular co-host Ann Curry earlier in 2012."
Last week, the "Today" new executive producer Alexandra Wallace also denied the rumors that Lauer would be fired if ratings didn't improve.
"There is absolutely no truth to this," Wallace told the New York Post's Page Six. "There have been some recent outrageous claims regarding Matt and the 'Today' show, and an awful lot of piling on from nameless, faceless sources. These stories are wrong and irresponsible."
Wallace responded to a report by Radar Online that cited a source close to the situation.
"News executive Alexandra Wallace has told NBC bosses she will have to replace Matt if the ratings continue to tank," an alleged insider told Radar Online. "The TODAY show has always been considered a cash cow for the network. It dominated the morning news ratings for years and brought in millions of dollars in ad revenue.
But, if viewers continue preferring Good Morning America over the TODAY show that revenue will decrease and cuts will have to be made."
